It's a bird..it's a plane...No it's a bat...

It seems like just a few weeks ago bats could be seen everywhere in our night time neighborhoods. Where are they now?

Bats are extremely active in the fall months as they participate in the mating rituals. This breed time is followed by a primal urge to gain extra body fat (up to 30% more) to prepare for the winter hibernation periods.

Decreased temperatures and dwindling food sources drive bats to find winter hiding places.

are places with consistent temperatures that stay above freezing. Caves are preferred spots for bats to winter if available.

Our local population of Big Brown Bats are hardy and apt to choose wintering spots close to their summer hunting grounds. Most of the time these creatures choose to live in building structures.

Bats are able to squeeze through gaps in buildings that are ¼ inch and larger. Locally bats can be found hiding in local, beneath roof sheeting and overhangs, and under siding and shutters. If there’s a gap bats will find it.

Pictured below are locally observed bat entry points:

Once inside the structure bats enter a trance like state of torpor in which their pulse slows to conserve stored fat. Gestation continues for the female and the males hang out nearby.

Most of the time winter time bats go undetected in our homes and building structures. However if the temperature dips below freezing for an extended time they will awaken and seek a more conducive temperature zone.

This is often when clients call us to remove bats from their homes mid-winter. Big Brown bats have been known to rotate hiding spots, but other species often lack the fat reserves to survive being aroused from torpor.

So the real questions is how do you keep them from moving into your living quarters during the winter?

1. Seal all gaps around entrances leading to your attic. Bats can travel inside of walls so it is important to seal any gaps that may appear in wall surfaces.

2. Don’t leave open doors or windows unattended. If bats are actively seeking another spot they may fly through these open areas. (Good advice year round).

3. Don’t disturb potential hiding areas during the winter.

What happens when you wake up to a bat flying around your house? We'll answer that next time. Headley's Wildlife Control is the only local animal control business that nationally certified in bat handling. We can be reached at 740-516-0689.